There is no doubt that a shower not only cleans and refreshes our body, but also relaxes our mind. While a shower at night removes all the dirt, dust, and sweat that we have gathered all through the day, a shower in the morning energizes us and makes us ready for a new day.
Indeed, a shower everyday helps us to maintain good hygiene, as well as provides us enjoyable experience. However, some like it hot, others cold. Is there any different effect that the temperature of the water actually create?
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is. When we are having cold shower, the blood vessels in our skin will contract, causing the dissipation of the body heat reduced. And due to the contraction of the blood vessels, the blood flow is driven to the internal organs, making the skin blood vessels dilate this time, which draws the blood flow back out to the skin. “As you can see, a cold shower can increase our blood flow in all organs, especially skin, heart and lungs,” TCM Practitioners explained. “In fact, Chinese refer this blood vessels contraction and dilation generated by cold shower a ‘blood vessel gymnastics.’”
Besides, stepping under a cold shower makes us breathe deeper and faster (a big gasp and more when the cold water hits the skin). And deeper breathing means more oxygen for our whole body.
What’s more, cold shower strengthens our parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. And by contracting our muscles, it can eliminate toxins and poisonous wastes, too.
“Having said that, cold shower isn’t for anyone at anytime,” TCM Practitioners warned. For example, if someone has heart problems, he/she shouldn’t have cold shower since extreme temperature not only increases the workload on the heart, it can interfere with circulation, cause breathing difficulty and chest pain, too.
Also, women should avoid taking cold shower during their menstrual cycle as cold water can cause uterine contractions that may lead to menstrual cramps. (Also read Neither Empty Nor Full Stomach Enjoys Cold Shower.)
Image by Pragmagraphr
I don’t know that taking shower with cold water can release toxins and poisonous waste, I only knew that relax, body refresh. Thanks for the Idea
Your articles is good and in details because I only knew that taking shower that makes my body relax, and refresh. but there’s another way that is releasing toxins.